The long-rumoured iPad Mini could finally become reality later this month, with various Apple sources claiming that a media event is scheduled for October 17th, where the new smaller tablet will be the star of the show.
A major Apple investor is said to have spilled the beans to Fortune, confirming that invites to the iPad Mini media event will be sent out to the press on October 10th. Apple is notorious for sending out invites one week or less before the actual event itself, and as such we’re expecting the big reveal to take place some-time during the week of October 15th – 19th.
Apple revealed the iPhone 5 at an event on a Wednesday, and put the device on sale the following Friday. The company did the same with the new iPad, so it would make perfect sense for the iPad Mini to be revealed on October 17th, and launched the following week on October 26th.
Adding further fuel to the flames is UK bank Barclays, an analyst for which claims that Pegatron, a company who has huge contracts for making Apple’s parts, is gearing up to ship 3 million iPad Minis before Christmas this year.
Considering Apple’s new iPad sold 3 million units in its first weekend alone, and the iPad Mini is expected to be priced a fair bit cheaper, it seems like a fairly lowly number of stock by Apple’s standards. This could of course mean that the Cupertino Company has employed another major manufacturer, such as Foxconn, to build more of the tablets.
So far rumours and various leaks have pointed towards the iPad Mini rocking a smaller 7.85-inch display and the new 8 pin Lightning dock connector. iOS 6 is likely to be the operating system on board, although other specifications are currently unclear.
Will the iPad Mini make a dent in the tech market, or has Apple been caught unaware by Google and Asus? Let us know your thoughts on our comments below or via our @Gadget_Helpline Twitter page or Official Facebook group.
Via: CNET